10 Christmas Traditions to Start This Year
Introduction
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and traditions. Every year, families all over the world celebrate Christmas in their own way. Some families have longstanding traditions that they never miss, while others like to start new traditions every year. If you're looking for some new Christmas traditions to add to your holiday this year, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we will discuss 10 Christmas traditions that you can start this year.
#1 - Cooking/Baking Together
One of my favorite things about the holidays is cooking and baking. My mom always made some delicious casseroles and desserts. Still to this day I find myself in the kitchen always helping my mom make some delicious food for the holidays.
Include the entire family in this activity. Even little kids can pour in ingredients, mix ingredients, and of course, taste test.
Remember that the purpose is to spend time together and make memories. If something doesn't go as planned or doesn't turn out well, that's ok. The goal was accomplished and memories were made.
Here are a few delicious and easy recipes to try out this Christmas.
1. Hot Chocolate
Ingredients Needed:
Chocolate Chips - 2 cups
Vanilla - 1 1/2 tsp
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 14oz
Heavy Whipping Cream - 1 1/2 cups
Milk - 6 cups
Items Needed:
Crock Pot
Whisk
Bowl for mixing
Measuring Cups
Can Opener
Instructions:
Step 1 - Add Vanilla, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Milk into a crockpot and whisk together until well combined.
Step 2 - Add the Chocolate Chips in and whisk them all together.
Step 3 - Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until warm throughout and the chocolate chips are melted.
Step 4 - Serve and enjoy.
2. Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients Needed:
Jalapeños - 7
Bacon (thinner cut) - 1lb
Cream Cheese - 8oz
Sharp Cheddar Cheese - 4oz
Salt, pepper, (optional - paprika, garlic powder)
Items Needed:
Oven
Cooking Sheet
Wire Rack (optional)
Bowl for mixing/mixer
Measuring Cups
Knife
Spoon
Instructions:
Step 1 - Preheat over to 400º
Step 2 - Add cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, salt & pepper to taste, and other spices as you desire to a bowl and mix until ingredients are combined. (If you set out your cream cheese earlier it will be softer and easier to mix. Feel free to use a mixer.)
Step 3 - Cut jalapeños in half long ways, take the seeds out and cut the stems off. (if you are sensitive to pepper seeds wear gloves and DO NOT touch your eyes)
Step 4 - Put cream cheese mixture into the jalapeños to the top of the jalapeño but not heaping over. Wrap 1 piece of bacon around the jalapeño and place it onto a cooking sheet. (If you have a rack that you can place on the cooking sheet that helps.)
Step 5 - Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños in the oven for 10 minutes or until the bacon has reached the crispiness level that you like. If you can control yourself, let them sit for at least 5 minutes before consuming.
Step 6 - Serve and enjoy
Step 7 - These warm up in the microwave and the oven very well if you have some left over.
3. Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients Needed:
Frozen Chopped Broccoli - 10oz
Boiling Water - 1 cup
Onion - 1/2 cup
Celery - 1/2 cup
Butter - 1/4 cup
Cream of Mushroom Soup - 10.5oz
Cheese Wiz - 8oz
Minute Rice - 1 1/2 cup
Milk - 1/2 cup
Items Needed:
Oven
Baking Pan - 9x9 or something close
Mixing Bowl
Can Opener
Pot
Knife
Spoon
Measuring Cups
Instructions:
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 350º
Step 2 - Thaw broccoli. Once thawed, boil 1 cup of water and place in a bowl with the broccoli. Let this sit while you prepare the other ingredients. You will not need to drain the broccoli.
Step 3 - Saute onions and celery on medium heat in butter until onions are translucent. (You are looking to saute not caramelize the onions.
Step 4 - Blend Cheese Whiz, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and milk together.
Step 5 - Combine all ingredients and put into a pan and bake at 350º for 30 minutes.
Step 6 - Serve and enjoy.
#2 - Christmas Eve Gift
One tradition we're adding this year to my family is having our daughter open one gift on Christmas Eve. This present will have some pajamas, candy, snacks, and a Christmas movie to watch together that night (it's a secret though, so don't spill the beans to my kid).
This is a great way to spend some time together as a family and unwind before the chaos of Christmas morning.
#3 - Give to Someone in Need
This might be the most meaningful thing you could do this Christmas. Find someone or a family that is in need and get them some gifts. This may be food, cash, clothing, or maybe they don't have money to purchase Christmas presents for their family.
Many shelters provide meals to the homeless. Here is a link to the shelters in the Cedar Rapids area that you might be able to assist - https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/city/ia-cedar_rapids.
Christmas is truly the season of giving and this is a great way to have a memorable Christmas.
Make this a family event. Although we shouldn't flaunt our generosity, it is good for your children to see you being generous to others. Even encourage your children to find ways to give to someone else this Christmas
#4 - Christmas Lights Hunt
One fun activity to do this holiday season is to drive around and see the Christmas decorations and lights that homes and businesses have put up. Load up the whole family or maybe get some friends as well and go driving around our beautiful area and check out the Christmas lights people have put up.
Some homes/businesses even have light shows that synchronize to Christmas music. Here is a link to a family that puts on a Christmas Lights Show at their home in Cedar Rapids - https://www.facebook.com/CollinsChristmas-204509147097741/
#5 - Seasonal Christmas Treats and Coffee
Check out some local coffee shops and diners for some seasonal treats, meals, and coffee that only come around this time of year. Christmas mochas, lattes, hot chocolates, and much more are delicious and warm you up during the cold weather.
Make it a family tradition to go out and try some of these seasonal things together. Places like Starbucks and Dunkin' have delicious Christmas drinks that are limited-time offers. Don't miss out on the drink and don't miss out on the time together.
#6 - Read the Christmas Story in the Bible
Christmas is about Jesus Christ. This event celebrates Jesus' birth. The account of this story is found in the Bible in Luke chapter 2, verses 1 through 21. If you don't have a Bible here's a link to it - Luke 2.
Christmas gets a lot of hype. Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty are fun ways to sing and celebrate the holiday season, but sometimes they can pull us away from the true meaning and story of Christmas.
This year, set aside some time to read the Christmas story from the Bible. I'd encourage you to do this in 2 ways.
Read it yourself. Think about it. Try to understand it. This true story is one of the most important events in human history.
Read it to your family. Take just 5 minutes and read this story about the birth of Jesus Christ. Take some time to reflect on the true meaning and value of Christmas and why we celebrate this holiday.
#7 - Have Another Family Over to Your Home
One of the best ways to make memories during the holidays is to do things with other people. Inviting someone over to your home helps you build relationships and always makes for a good time.
Whether you like to cook a meal or just order some pizza, having friends over makes the holidays more special.
#8 - Listen to Some Christmas Music and Sing Along Together
As Buddy, the Elf said, "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." Many radio stations have 24-hour Christmas music going on all season long. Streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora have Christmas playlists that you can listen to as well.
Sing along with Rudolph and Frosty, but take some time to listen to some of the more meaningful Christmas songs like Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and The First Noel. These songs have great lyrics, have been around for hundreds of years, and have a great message to them.
#9 - Make a Ginger Bread House Together
This is a great way to spend an evening together while the kids are on Christmas break. You can find all the supplies you'd ever want at the grocery store to make an awesome gingerbread house together as a family.
Turn some Christmas music on, pour a cup of some delicious hot chocolate, and get building an awesome gingerbread house. If you have a larger family make this a competition and post the results on your Facebook/Instagram and have people vote on the best one.
#10 - Go to Church
Whether you consider yourself religious or not, church is a great place to celebrate Christmas. Most churches have Christmas programs with dramas and lots of holiday music.
This year you have a unique opportunity, and that is Christmas is on a Sunday. If there was ever a time to go to church, this Sunday would be the time.
I know it may be awkward or uncomfortable to go check out a new place or go to church when you haven't been in a long time, but I guarantee you that the people at church will be glad you are there and will make you feel right at home.
We'd love to have you come visit Gospel Light Baptist Church this Christmas. Honestly, we're not doing anything too extravagant on Christmas Sunday. We're gathering together to praise Jesus, sing some Christmas songs, encourage one another, and hear a message from the Bible. Is this not what Christmas is all about?
We'd love to have you be our guest this Christmas. Click here to Plan Your Visit!
Conclusion
I hope these things will help bring your family closer together this Christmas and that you will make memories that will last a lifetime. Christmas is probably most people's favorite holiday, and for good reason.
Make this one worth remembering.
Love others and love Jesus this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
